PART 2: Tourism in a Territory Helpful or harmful?

PART 2: Tourism in a Territory

Helpful or harmful?

Tourism It is one of the largest economic activities worldwide.

REASONS FOR GROWTH IN TOURISM:

1. Employers offer paid holidays in industrialized countries

2. Higher standard of living

3. Improved transportation (access to airplanes, buses, etc.)

4. Affordable travel (cheap plane tickets, all-inclusive, etc.)

Characteristics of Tourism1. Business or pleasure

2. The destination is more than 80 km from home

3. You are at the destination for more than 24 hours, less than one year.

4. Money spent before the trip (bathing suits, suntan lotion, etc.) and it is spent on activities & services at the destination (hotel, transport, theme parks, souvenirs, restaurants, etc.)

Characteristics of Tourists

80% of tourists live in industrialized (wealthy) countries.

2009: 880 million tourists from Europe, North & South America & Japan

Have more money & more holidays

They also travel within their own country or their neighbouring country.

Types of Tourism1. Beach vacations (ex: Florida)

2. Winter tourism (ex: Canada)

3. Nature (ecotourism/green) tourism

We learn about nature & the importance of respecting it.

This type of tourism has little/no impact on environment.

It also benefits the local economy.

4. Adventure tourism: risky activities like sky diving!

5. Cultural tourism (educational)

Visiting museums & historic sites

6. Entertainment (recreation & amusement)

Those affected by tourism…1. Organizations (public, national & local) are established to

promote tourism in a specific destination.

2. Businesses directly involved in tourism:

Hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, etc.3. Media is responsible for:

a) Promoting a specific destination’s attractions (museums, amusement parks, shopping centres, restaurants etc.).

b) Reporting positive news (may increase the tourist population in that particular destination).

c) Reporting political unrest (may cause less tourists to travel at that particular destination).

Take note that media can either factual or suggestive (persuasive).

4. Local population

Have a say in how many tourists can visit (Venice)

5. Permanent & seasonal workers

6. Tourists

Impacts of TourismHost territories need:

Larger airports

More facilities & services:

Accommodation More hotels More

restaurants Entertainment Transport

These affect the layout/organization of the region

Characteristics of Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism is attempting to make as low an impact on the environment (affecting or altering the environment as little as possible.) and local culture (way of life) as possible, while helping to create future jobs for local people.

The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development brings a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and the tourists themselves.

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/sus-dest-geotourism

Is the term 'sustainable tourism an oxymoron? The term 'sustainable tourism', like 'ecotourism', is

considered by many to be an oxymoron.

Tourism in general depends upon and increases air transportation, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions from combustion placed high into the stratosphere where they immediately contribute to the heat trapping phenomenon behind global warming and climate change.

The overall effect of sustainable tourism is negative.What's an 'oxymoron'? It's a pair of back-to-back words or phrases that mean exactly the opposite.

1. Economy: Promotes local economy

2. Environment: Protects local environment

3. Social: Protects local culture

4. Low (negative) impact of visitors

Possible negative impacts of tourism1. Pressure on environment

Natural: It is something that could affect the health/life of an animal. (Ex: a shortage of water, food, space, and predators)

Urban (city): Air emissions, noise, solid waste and littering, releases of sewage, oil and chemicals, even architectural/visual pollution.

2. Blocked transportation (traffic)

3. Demand for water & energy

Tourists consume water and use energy during their visit. Because of this, the local population may not have enough water & energy!

4. Loss of culture/traditions

Acculturation: partial or total assimilation of a culture after coming in contact with another

5. Deterioration of environment

Water, air, visual pollution

Positive Forces & Negative Forces

Tourism is good when…

1.Raises awareness about natural & cultural preservation2.Contributes to growth of local community3.Source of income for protected territories4.Encourages the protection & sustainable development of the environment

Tourism is bad when…

1.Contributes to deterioration of natural landscapes & wasting of water resources2.Contributes to poverty, relocation of locals, or loss of culture3.Threat to native species &/or biodiversity4.Causes marine &/or coastal pollution

Global Code of Ethics for Tourism -2001: United Nations General Assembly established

guidelines to ensure responsible & sustainable development of tourism

Reference for rules of visiting tourist areas

-Adopted by 57 countries

-Available in 50 languages

Vocabulary Mass tourism: form of tourism that allows a

large number of people to travel & support the tourism economy

Tourist destination: region that attracts a large number of tourists

Sustainable tourism: tourism that respects the resources of a territory & contributes to the development of local communities & cultural fulfillment of the people involved

Multinational: companies with activities in more than one country